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Deactivation of nickel methanation catalysts induced by the decomposition of iron carbonyl. I. Deactivation via pore-month blocking

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5354728

The deactivation of alumina-supported nickel methanation catalysts due to decomposition of Fe(CO)/sub 5/ was studied using both reaction kinetics measurements and in situ Moessbauer spectroscopy. Iron carbonyl, enriched in /sup 57/Fe for Moessbauer spectroscopy studies, was produced in situ and entrained with the carbon monoxide feed to a methanation reactor operating at temperatures of 620 to 650 K and H/sub 2//CO ratios near 7. This incorporation of Fe into the nickel catalyst via the decomposition of Fe(CO)/sub 5/ resulted in significant catalyst deactivation as well as changes in the parameters of a power law rate expression describing the methanation kinetics. With increasing amounts of Fe deposited on the catalyst, the kinetic parameters were shifted toward those of iron catalysts. These iron-induced phenomena are due to (1) pore-mouth blocking of the Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ micropore structure by iron particles formed during the diffusion-limited decomposition of Fe(CH)/sub 5/, and (2) interactions between iron and nickel in the macropores of the support. Specifically, the loss of catalyst activity is primarily caused by pore-mouth blocking, while shifts in kinetic parametsrs are the consequence of both pore-mouth blocking and interactions between iron and nickel. The majority of the iron deposited under methanation reaction conditions has been identified as chi-carbide (Haegg carbide) using Moessbauer spectroscopy at liquid helium temperature. 55 references, 7 figures, 4 tables.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
DOE Contract Number:
FG21-78ET12248
OSTI ID:
5354728
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 84:1; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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